Trump says US is 'locked and loaded' and vows to 'rescue' Iranian protesters

US President Donald Trump has threatened intervention in Iran's cost-of-living protests, saying on Truth Social that "the United States of America will come to their rescue" if Iran kills peaceful demonstrators and that the US is "locked and loaded and ready to go."

At least seven people have been reported killed in protests sweeping parts of Iran, including Tehran, which were sparked in part by a collapse in the rial currency and rising domestic prices.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, responded on X, warning that US interference "would mean destabilising the entire region and destroying America's interests" and urging Americans to be mindful of their soldiers' safety.

US-Iran tensions were already high after Iran attacked the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June. Those missile launches were described as retaliation for US strikes on three nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict referred to in June.

The current protests are in their sixth day and are the largest since 2022, when the death of Mahsa Amini in custody sparked nationwide demonstrations, but they have not reached the same intensity or become fully nationwide.

Iran's civilian government, led by reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, has signalled a willingness to negotiate, but he has acknowledged limited room for action as the rial rapidly depreciates, with one dollar costing about 1.4 million rials.

Key Topics

Tech, World, Us, Iran, Protests, Trump, Middle East